What Are Veneers / Lumineers?

At Shenandoah Family Dentistry, we’re frequently asked what veneers and Lumineers are. These are terms that are frequently used today when people talk about how they can rejuvenate their smile, cover dental issues, and conceal cosmetic concerns they have with their teeth. This includes things like cracks, chips, stains, gaps, and mild tooth misalignment. To make the best choice here, you’ll want to take some time to explore your options so that you can make a well-informed decision.

What Veneers Are

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) defines veneers as "thin pieces of porcelain used to re-create the natural look of teeth, while also providing strength and resilience comparable to natural tooth enamel." They’re custom made to fit your teeth’s contour, then bonded to your original enamel. Once in place, they conceal any imperfections in your teeth, so you have a natural-looking smile. As such, your dentist will take some time to find a shade that’s similar to or matches the other teeth in that area of your mouth. We’ll also shape your new veneers, so they match your other teeth surrounding them. This won’t take much preparation work on our behalf, which is good news for you since it means that we can preserve the majority of your tooth’s natural structure.

Why Choose Veneers

Veneers are an unobtrusive option when you’re told that you need crowns or braces. Often they’re used to close gaps between your teeth or correct any small misalignments in your mouth. Sometimes patients may also choose to use these as a cosmetic solution for making their teeth brighter and their smile straighter. In this way, they use veneers to correct issues with discoloration, fractures and chipping.

What Lumineers Are

On the other hand, there are Lumineers. These are like veneers, but with a few key differences—mainly in the important advantages these can offer you. To begin with, Lumineers require almost no preparation (e.g., drilling, injections) work be done to your tooth. This is because Lumineers are made from Cerinate ceramic—a really thin material. All this is good news since it means we can preserve the entirety of your natural tooth. None of this will compromise the durability of your restoration, which means that they will last for up to 20 years.

Why Choose Lumineers

Lumineers will give you a beautiful smile quickly. They’re also much more comfortable—the entire process is both simple and pain-free. Since they’re ultra-thin, your smile will also look much more natural with them. Just make sure you understand how beneficial it is to spare the structure of your tooth the damage that must occur when opting for traditional veneers.

Making the Best Choice for Your Mouth

When you need a fast, easy way to elevate your smile’s appearance, reach out to us at Shenandoah Family Dentistry by phone at 540-551-4455. While veneers are quite popular, Lumineers come in a very close second. We’ll examine your teeth, listen carefully to your aesthetic concerns, and help you choose which option will best meet your expectations. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying a more youthful and beautiful smile.